Key facts
How many taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed in Bury?
744 vehicles in 2026 against 740 in 2024: taxis 33 → 28, private hire 707 → 716; 3.74 per 1,000 residents; 100% of taxis wheelchair accessible.[1]
| 2024 | 2026 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxis | 33 | 28 | down 15% |
| Private hire vehicles | 707 | 716 | up 1% |
| Driver licences | 905 | 898 | down 1% |
| Operator licences | 31 | 33 | up 6% |
How does Bury compare with other councils in the North West?
Among councils in the North West, Bury ranks 17th of 35 for vehicles per head (3.74 per 1,000, median 3.73). It ranks 28th for operators (33, median 45).[1]
| Measure | Bury | Regional median | Rank (highest = 1st) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per 1,000 residents | 3.74 | 3.73 | 17th of 35 |
| Operator licences | 33 | 45 | 28th of 35 |
| Private hire vehicles per operator | 22 | 9 | 8th of 35 |
| Wheelchair-accessible taxis | 100% | 32% | 7th of 35 |
What does the Bury market look like for an operator?
Bury's own DfT 2026 figures, worked out per operator and per vehicle.[1]
- 4% taxis, 96% private hire of 744 vehicles: pre-booked work dominates.
- 22 PHVs per operator on average (716 across 33 licences).
- 1.2 drivers per vehicle (898 for 744).
- 0% dual-licensed drivers, 824 PHV-only, 31 taxi-only.
- Majority nearer to a major town or city (DfT area class).
- 12 booking details to record per job (booking records).
How does licensing in Bury differ from other councils?
3 departures from the usual rules in Bury's DfT return. Vehicles: taxis and private hire vehicles face both an age limit and an emission standard, and drivers must carry out daily roadworthiness checks.[1]
- Bury taxi drivers sit no knowledge test; about 85% of councils test them.
- No knowledge test for Bury private hire drivers, as in about 2 in 5 councils.
- Policy last updated: 2025, by Bury's own account to the DfT.
How many operator licences does Bury grant?
8 new, 25 renewed; 33 in force (31 in 2024). Operator rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
How many private hire operators are there in Bury?
33 at 1 April 2026, 31 at 1 April 2024 (DfT).
Sources
Fees and rules change. Each source is the official page we read, with the date we read it; check it before you apply or pay.
- [1] DfT taxi and private hire vehicle statistics 2026, tables TAXI0104-TAXI0112 (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [2] GOV.UK: Driver licences for taxis and private hire vehicles (read 2 Nov 2026)
- [3] Bury Metropolitan Borough Council: official website (taxi and private hire licensing) (read 8 Nov 2026)
